Demson's PA platform

[Teric neDhalir]

it really does not matter to the DM's what the players are allowed to do...they control the game world.

I think you just argued against yourself and won

[fluffmonster]

Recent circumstances have brought up the issue of in-game chat/emoting style, which I had thought a trivial matter until recently. The specific case involves a player who emotes in plain text, which is the ALFA convention for PC IC speech. This did inspire a discussion in the TSM forum, and I personally found the behavior game-breaking disruptive though it seems I had an unusually negative reaction. Regardless, at present, I am not aware of any formal requirements on in-game chat/emoting per se.

The question is what your opinion is on whether plain text in-game chat should be solely reserved for IC speech as a rule, and more generally whether you believe there should be any particular rules for in-game chat/emoting. Thanks.

[Nalo Jade]

Thanks for the reply.

On a side note, I think your prudence is a good quality for an Administrator.



The environment, the stage, the NPCs... generally that's the way I look at it, we (DM's) are the narrator's of the world, and the NPC's but the Players make the choices as to what feats they take and in general how they will play their characters... most of the balancing issues revolve around "players" wanting to be balanced with other players ... no one wants to be "balanced" VS the environment... it is the DMs job to mold the environment to fit the players, not to mold the players themselves...

[HATEFACE]

Recent circumstances have brought up the issue of in-game chat/emoting style, which I had thought a trivial matter until recently. The specific case involves a player who emotes in plain text, which is the ALFA convention for PC IC speech. This did inspire a discussion in the TSM forum, and I personally found the behavior game-breaking disruptive though it seems I had an unusually negative reaction. Regardless, at present, I am not aware of any formal requirements on in-game chat/emoting per se.

The question is what your opinion is on whether plain text in-game chat should be solely reserved for IC speech as a rule, and more generally whether you believe there should be any particular rules for in-game chat/emoting. Thanks.

I also found the way that was roleplayed a little distracting but I didn't bother the player about it. From what I read from the threads and otherwise, it seems like the player was bothered enough. I only gave one message to Burt, I don't really recall what I said. I think I might of said "I can see how that can be distracting." You know, the DM's okayed it, and alfa needs players so, you know, there's nothing wrong with letting that slide instead of getting all upset over it. So for all the negativity and B.S. brought up by certain individuals against that player, that's on them.

My personal style goes like "<i>*emote here.*</i> plain text character speech." I guess its a little different then others in that I add emotes under italics but that's permitted I think. Either using italics for emphesis or bold or some such.

Now often, emoting my way can be difficult when players are in a hurry. I don't tend to type very fast plus, adding in the italic tags, blaugh, just plain misery when someone is passing you by. Honestly I don't know why I adopted it other then it looks good presentation-wise but people don't care. So why do they care about this particular presentation of this one player? Hell if I know.

[LancasterX_2]

Players want to have fun. But when there are no DM's around (80% of the time) they don't have fun.

What are you going to do about it as PA? What steps will take to ensure players have fun when DM's are away?

Such as, are you going to push for a motion to make more statics available to players? How would you do this?

[fluffmonster]

Thank you PD, but it would be preferable to let the candidate answer the question from their own perspective.

[Demson]

Recent circumstances have brought up the issue of in-game chat/emoting style, which I had thought a trivial matter until recently. The specific case involves a player who emotes in plain text, which is the ALFA convention for PC IC speech. This did inspire a discussion in the TSM forum, and I personally found the behavior game-breaking disruptive though it seems I had an unusually negative reaction. Regardless, at present, I am not aware of any formal requirements on in-game chat/emoting per se.

The question is what your opinion is on whether plain text in-game chat should be solely reserved for IC speech as a rule, and more generally whether you believe there should be any particular rules for in-game chat/emoting. Thanks.

You say the format in question disrupted your experience. This is something we have to take serious, regardless of how trivial the actual deed seems to be.

It has indeed been discussed before. The fact we have a standing tradition that has to be obliged is not important here. Nor is the fact that the format is arguebly cleanier and can be adjusted to.

The format in question uses the normal text for emoting and narration, when the standing practise is that this normal text is used for in-character speak. There are a number of people who have difficulty with the different format.

This we have to take serious. Whatever is said or argued does not take away the fact that these people are troubled by it. This will need a solution for everyone.

The only solution I see to this is a rule to distinguish all emoting and narration with the use of asterix or italics.

This is something I would move to do after I'm approached on this matter as a PA. Right now I have no intention of doing this yet. It is something we'll need a good dialogue about first.

[HATEFACE]

The only solution I see to this is a rule to distinguish all emoting and narration with the use of asterix or italics.

Is the use of both permissable. What are your views on using bold font?

[Demson]

Players want to have fun. But when there are no DM's around (80% of the time) they don't have fun.

What are you going to do about it as PA? What steps will take to ensure players have fun when DM's are away?

I will ban every person that does not have fun.

Such as, are you going to push for a motion to make more statics available to players? How would you do this?

I've explained previously that I think the roleplay experience itself falls in the domain of the DMA. As a PA I can not make statics happen.

What I can do is support players in their concerns towards the other administrations. That is what the PA is here for - the players. If our players have a concern with how things are going, I will represent them in this.

Would I advocate more statics? No.

Would I advocate the players' concerns for more statics? Yes.

How I would do this? Wth dialogue.

The DMA is well-aware of the concerns of the players, and competent enough to form his own judgement and decisions. But what we lack at the moment is smooth communications. Passions run high, ambitions are great and there is only so much our combined effort can deliver. The main theme behind all the forum drama and general discontent seems to be failing communication to begin with. In essence, that is what my term as PA would be about.

[Demson]

The only solution I see to this is a rule to distinguish all emoting and narration with the use of asterix or italics.

Is the use of both permissable. What are your views on using bold font?

I personally wouldn't have a problem with it. The point is that emotes and narration should be distinguishable from what is by tradition IC speak. This is to prevent trouble for people who have difficulty with reading an untraditional format, as well as those who use that untraditional format. It would be a shame if they end up isolated from others.

The exact format will depend on our discussions, of course. I also say this - it's the only solution I can see to this. It's the only solution I can think of bringing as PA. This does not mean I will actually do it. We'll have to see about that.

[HATEFACE]

The only solution I see to this is a rule to distinguish all emoting and narration with the use of asterix or italics.

Is the use of both permissable. What are your views on using bold font?

I personally wouldn't have a problem with it. The point is that emotes and narration should be distinguishable from what is by tradition IC speak. This is to prevent trouble for people who have difficulty with reading an untraditional format, as well as those who use that untraditional format. It would be a shame if they end up isolated from others.

The exact format will depend on our discussions, of course. I also say this - it's the only solution I can see to this. It's the only solution I can think of bringing as PA. This does not mean I will actually do it. We'll have to see about that.

Do you believe your controversial views on bold text will distance yourself from mainstream voters? What are your views on the reverse? Such as bold astricks emotes and italic emphesised text? Do you think such wild variation is detrimental and may distrupt the harmony of ALFAn public enlightenment & betterment?

[Vaelahr]

Thanks Demson for stepping up to run.

HATEFACE actually brings up a good point and I'd like to dovetail with his questioning to you if I may. With the seldom used parenthetical dialog coupled with italicised emoting bringing a fresh perspective to in-game text, how do you feel with regards to players emoting character thought in a random "down-time" gaming context? Usually considered a no-no in some RP circles as it's considered the transmission of meta-knowledge (albeit often vague and superfluous), what about emoting character thought when the PC is alone, thus displaying a narrative for any present DMs to observe or would that be bad form in your opinion as well with the possibility of stealthed characters nearby? Sometimes players RPing bards can benefit from this kind of creative orectic riffing or does this left up to the discretion of the DM caucus (per server)? [or per platform or what] with or without a DM on or only in scheduled DM events?

[dergon darkhelm]

Before you answer, Demson, realize that pandering to a "bold text" voter block could seriously cost you with the mainstream heartland hardworing blue collar work-a-day shot and beer asteric using ALFAns.

[Nalo Jade]

What kind of things will you do to improve communication?

[paazin]

I'm going to steal a question I saw Wynna give a while ago, paraphrased (the first I think you've touched on quite a bit):

If elected, what will be your main goal of the office - to see through a personal project, to be an effective administrator or fair adjudicator?

What do you think will be your overarching legacy once your term is complete?